DNA homology studies of leptospires of serogroups Sejroe and Pomona from cattle and swine

Abstract

Hybridization studies of chromosomal DNA from leptospiral strains representing Leptospira interrogans, serogroups Sejroe and Pomona from cattle and swine were performed to determine the degree of homology among their DNA sequences. Chromosomal DNA isolated from leptospires of the Sejroe and Pomona serogroups was radiolabeled and used to probe DNA isolated from other strains in these serogroups. Serovars hardjo (hardjoprajitno), hardjo (hardjo-bovis), balcanica (1627 Burgas), pomona (pomona), and kennewicki (LT-1026) were probed to determine the degree of homology among their chromosomes. Serovars pomona and kennewicki were homologous to each other. They also had a high degree of homology with hardjo (hardjoprajitno) and, to a lesser extent, with hardjo (hardjo-bovis) strains. However, hardjoprajitno and hardjo-bovis had little homology to each other. Serovar balcanica had a high degree of homology with hardjo-bovis isolates, but little homology with hardjoprajitno. Although serologically indistinguishable, the reference strain hardjoprajitno was genetically dissimilar to hardjo-bovis strains isolated from North American cattle.